Archives: Kit Reviews
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Italeri 1/48 scale Westland Wessex HU.5
The Italeri 1/48 scale Westland Wessex HU.5 plastic model kit is molded in light gray plastic. Construction starts with a decent cockpit featuring three-part plastic seats embellished with photoetched-metal harnesses and frames, the option of a decal or photoetched-metal instrument panel, joysticks and collectives, and rudder pedals.
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Meng 1/35 scale A39 Tortoise
When you open the box to the Meng 1/35 scale Tortoise A39 plastic model kit, you realize how big this beast is. Amazingly, through the magic of slide molding, the fighting compartment is molded as one piece with excellent cast texture on all sides. Only the rear plates are separate moldings. The kit features individual-link…
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HobbyBoss 1/35 scale T-26
HobbyBoss kicks off its 1/35 scale T-26 plastic model kit releases with the initial version, the so-called Model 1931, armed with two machine guns in matching turrets. The parts feature sharp, recessed panel lines and crisply molded rivet and bolt heads. The edges of parts like the turret platform are extremely thin.
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Kitty Hawk 1/48 scale F-35B Lightning II
This 1/48 scale F-35B, only the second kit from a new model company, Kitty Hawk, is a welcome release. Opening the box reveals 208 pieces, all of which (except the six clear parts) are molded in a dark gray, oily, soft yet brittle plastic that likes to tear as you remove it from the sprue.…
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Meng 1/72 scale Convair F-102A
Meng surprised me with its brand-new 1/72 scale Convair F-102A plastic model kit. What pleased me is that Meng recognized there were two wing designs, and I was thrilled with the two-part clear canopy. The cockpit detail is good; the tub comes with the special “two-fisted” control stick and a mount for the open canopy.
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Academy 1/35 U.S. Army RQ-7B UAV
Academy has released a 1/35 scale U.S. Army RQ-7B UAV plastic model kit. Inside the box, there there aren’t a lot of parts — no clear parts, no photoetched metal or resin. But sometimes less is more. Included are the RQ-7B, two figures, and a display stand — everything you need to make a diorama…
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Tamiya 1/35 scale M1A2 SEP Abrams TUSK II
Two versions of TUSK exist for the Abrams, and Tamiya’s new 1/35 scale plastic model kit contains both. TUSK I includes Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles along the skirts, enhanced belly armor, an M2 machine gun mounted on the main gun barrel, new thermal sights, loader’s machine gun shield, and infantry phone. TUSK II adds the…
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Kitty Hawk 1/48 scale SEPECAT Jaguar
The Kitty Hawk 1/48 scale SEPECAT Jaguar plastic model kit is packed into a deceptively small box. I thought there was no way a 1/48 scale Jaguar could come in such a small box. But Kitty Hawk proved me wrong; inside, there are 313 injection-molded pieces on nine sprues. There is also a small fret…
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Gallery Models 1/48 scale H-34 U.S. Navy Rescue helicopter
Gallery Models’ 1/48 scale H-34 U.S. Navy Rescue helicopter plastic model kit features fine panel lines, two photoetched frets with all the screening on the forward fuselage and the housing at the hop of the tail for the rotor. You also get seat bels for the pilot and copilot, and seats in the cargo bay.
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Dragon 1/35 scale T28 super heavy tank
The T28 super heavy tank was developed by the U.S. Army near the end of World War II. Built to destroy stout fortifications, the 95-ton vehicle carried a 105mm gun and a second suspension that could be removed and towed behind the tank. Only two prototypes were built before the project was canceled in 1947.…